'This year has shown the thirst for revenge is stronger than the desire for peace'

The killing ofr, the mastermind behind the attacks, may prove to be a watershed moment for the conflict in the Middle East. World leaders meeting in Berlin yesterday suggested the demise of the Hamas leader could clear a path for a ceasefire in , the delivery of much-needed aid to the Palestinians and the release of the remaining Israeli hostages.

Yet the experience of the last 12 months has shown that, depressingly, the thirst for revenge is stronger than the desire for peace. There are fears Sinwar’s death could inflame tensions still further as his supporters seek to avenge his killing.

There are also concerns that Israel, having achieved a key objective in Gaza, will now focus its attention - and military might - on Hezbollah forces in Lebanon. The primary victims of any escalation in the conflict will be innocent civilians. Far too many have already been killed or displaced so if there is a small window in which to broker a truce then it must be seized.

JobCentres need to improve

If this government wants to boost growth then it needs to get people back to work. One of the dire legacies Labour inherited from the Conservatives was a stagnant jobs market and a burgeoning number of people unable to work because of ill health, disability or family commitments.

To make matters worse, the Tories also oversaw the closure of one-in-five JobCentres and cut the number of staff responsible for helping people back to work.

Employment minister Alison McGovern has described JobCentres as the “most unloved bit of the public service.” But they are also one of the most crucial. Labour realises you cannot help people return to the labour market if you don’t provide the right support and advice.

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They are fundraisers and life-savers, campaigners and community heroes. Most of all, they are the Pride of Britain. This years’ winners of the country’s most-treasured award are as exceptional as ever. No wonder they have been met with royal approval.